The "Mendoza"

[Hatchett]

Does anyone know anything about this old Mexican light machinegun? The "Mendoza," is all I know. I know it is a Mexican 7mm Mauser light machinegun like a BAR, but I can't find anything on it besides that. Basically, what was it, how did it work, and when was it made?

 

[dfariswheel]

The Mendoza looks vaguely like a BAR, only with a full wood stock and fore end assembly with a full pistol grip.

It was developed at the Mexican Nation Firearms Factory in Mexico City by Rafael Mendoza, a foreman at the plant, with help by American M.H. Thompson, and utilizing principles of the Hotchkiss and Lewis guns.

Development started in 1920 but the completed gun wasn't manufactured until 1932. It was adopted by the Mexican government in 1934.

Later, a version of the Mendoza was manufactured in US 30-06.

The Mendoza was gas operated, with a quick change barrel.
Tripod based versions with a skeleton butt stock were also made.

 

[Jim K]

The Mendoza used a top loading magazine like the Bren gun, but the magazine was not curved. Unlike the US BAR, the Mendoza has a pistol grip like the Belgian BAR. The 7mm version weighed only 18 1/2 pounds, and, incredibly, the .30-'06 version was even simpler and lighter, weighing in at a shade over 14 pounds.

There are pictures in Small Arms of the World, which is often available at gun shops and gun shows.

Jim

 

[Hatchett]

Thanks for the information!
Any pics?